About

The Voices Against War website is one component of an educational peace project, “Pacifist Women, Men and their Families in Canterbury” co-ordinated by the Disarmament and Security Centre (DSC) in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Our aim was to identify, research and publicise in a range of forms, the stories of women, men and their families throughout Canterbury who opposed conscription and militarism, supported the conscientious objectors (COs), and campaigned for a new world order before during and after World War I.

Project leader was Dr Kate Dewes, Co-Director of the DSC. Lead researcher and writer was community historian, Margaret Lovell-Smith, who as well as writing for the website prepared a series of five lectures presented to the Canterbury WEA in March-April 2016. History graduate student Dan Bartlett worked on the project as a University of Canterbury ‘summer scholar’ in December -February 2015-2016 and continued to work for the project in 2016 as a writer and researcher and also uploaded content to the website. The project was supported by the University of Canterbury’s School of Humanities and Creative Arts. Dr Jane Buckingham, Associate Professor of History at the University, edited the website content, and worked closely with the team.

The Voices Against War story will also be told in an exhibition planned for the University of Canterbury Library in October 2016.

The DSC gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance of the World War I Commemoration Heritage Lottery Fund, Environment and Heritage Committee, Te Tahua Whakamaharatanga ki te Pakanga Tuatahi o te Ao, Te Taiao me ngā Taonga Tuku Iho; Quaker Peace and Service Aotearoa/New Zealand, and the support of the University of Canterbury’s School of Humanities and Creative Arts, in the preparation and maintenance of this website. The DSC also acknowledges the UC Digital Arts Lab for designing and developing the website.

For help with locating and accessing images for the website, the DSC also acknowledges the co-operation of the Macmillan Brown Library at the University of Canterbury, the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch, the Christchurch City Libraries, the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, the Hocken Library, Dunedin and the Auckland Institute and Museum Library.

The website is a work in progress and further content will be added as it becomes available.

If you would like to contact the Voices Against War team, please email kate@chch.planet.org.nz